Contacts between CMOS circuits and cell membrane by silicon nanowires

Here we present a novel technique to sense bioelectric signals enabling high space-time resolution and minimizing invasiveness based on low-temperature (200°C) growth of silicon nanowires (SiNWs). Such SiNWs are IC-compatible and allow in situ amplification of bioelectrical phenomena. In this paper we show our initial results in SiNWs biocompatibility and neutrality suggesting their use as seeding material for cell culturing. Using this technology our goal is to put together an innovative and compact device that allows synchronous, on-site recording of large amounts of biological signals from excitable cells networks with high SNR. Moreover, we aim to record signals from cell membrane distinct subdomains, providing very highly resolved measurements of electric waveforms propagation within living cells and networks.